German brand freshens its sporty mid-sized trio with more power and more equipment for less money.

2016 BMW 4-Series first drive review

At a glance, the 2016 BMW 4-Series range doesn't look all that new. There are still three bodystyles on offer (Coupe, Convertible and four-door Gran Coupe), four engines (one diesel, three petrol) and the same lights, bumpers and wheels.

Look closer, and you might scope some new badges. The 430i is a fresh nameplate for the 4 Series range, as is the 440i - they replace the 428i and 435i respectively.

Why? Because while the 4-Series family is still a year away from its first comprehensive facelift, BMW has elected to apply the same under-the-skin updates that the 3-Series received last year to its sportier cousin.

That means engine upgrades for all models bar the diesel-drinking 420d. Though displacement stays the same at 2.0 litres for the 420i/430i and 3.0 litres for the 440i, the 2016 engines are from BMW's modular B-series engine family, which replaces the N-series motors used previously.

2016 BMW 4-Series. Photo: Supplied

Fuel economy improves, CO2 emissions fall and, in the 430i and 440i, power is up and 0-100km/h sprint times drop.

The entry-level 420i makes the same output as before, with 135kW and 270Nm. It's no slower than the 2015 model with a 7.5 second 0-100km/h sprint, but with an average fuel consumption of 5.8 litres for the 420i coupe it's 0.3 l/100km more frugal than before.

To drive, it feels much the same. It's a willing and revvy motor, but a little lacklustre when asked to work hard.

The 2.0 litre 430i records bigger gains, with a fuel consumption reduction of 0.6 l/100km in the coupe to bring it down to 5.8 l/100km while gaining 5kW more power to take total outputs to 185kW/350Nm.

It's a peach out on the road, with more than enough zip to deal with the fast Victorian country roads we encountered on launch. That said, it pales in comparison to the massive gains achieved for the six-cylinder 440i.

Making 240kW/450Nm, the 440i generates 15kW and 50Nm more than the outgoing 435i, and consumes 0.6 l/100km less. It accelerates effortlessly, making short work of long stretches of road. Its variable-ratio steering also helps it devour twistier sections of tarmac.

Chassis technology now includes Adaptive M Suspension for the 420i and 420d (it was already standard on other models), but BMW hasn't tweaked the suspension or steering calibration for this update. Did it need to? Not really.

Instead, the value equation has been massively adjusted, with price drops of $2200 for 420i and 420d, $2500 for 430i and a whopping $10,000 for the 440i.

Standard equipment lists have been fattened up at the same time - the 440i boasts a massive $22,745 worth of extra value compared to the outgoing 435i, if you include the $10k discount on its sticker price.